Ups&&Downs

Brand New

2011-05-20T12:52:00.000-07:00

Daren and are married! Hoorah! So now, we are in a new semester, in a new apartment, with a new roommate, and a completely new life so with all of this newness, I thought I'd start a new blog for my new family. You can find us here. daniellaanddaren.blogspot.com
Thanks for reading!

-Daniella Cullimore

Zero to Hero, a Major Hunk; and Who'd Have Thunk?

2011-03-22T23:52:00.000-07:00

There are a lot of songs our there that remind me of my sweetheart Daren. Pretty much any love song I hear, and if he isn't already on my mind (not often) he pops right up. Well I was running with my ipod a few days ago and thinking of my fiancee' when this song came on. As I listened, I was reminded of a time when Daren meant almost nothing to me, and I to him. When we knew eachother, but didn't know eachother. I thought about how quickly that changed just one short year later. He went from "Zero, to Hero" in my eyes. When I thought this, I laughed outloud, and continued laughing as the song played. Then I played it again and laughed again. So I thought I'd share and maybe you'd laugh too :)

He was a no one
A zero, zero
Now he's a hotshot,
He's a hero
Here was a kid with his act down packed
From zero to hero in no time flat
Zero to hero just like that

Say amen
There he goes again
Sweet and undefeated
And an awesome 10 for 10
Folks lined up
Just to watch him flex
And this perfect package
packed a pair of pretty pecs
(Ok this REALLY made me laugh)

He sure had moxie, brains, and spunk
From zero to hero a major hunk
Zero to hero and who'da thunk?

Isn't he bold?
Nobody braver.
Is he sweet?
Our favorite flavor!

I still, after all this time can't believe I'm engaged to Daren Cullimore. The same Daren Cullimore that I barely knew, barely acknowledged in 2009. And now, he really is my hero. My protecting, providing, presiding, priesthood wielding hero. Husband Hero! To the rescue!

To My Family:

2011-03-17T16:42:00.000-07:00

"I grew up in a pretty house and I had space to run and I had the best days with you."

Kaleb,
Oh my jolly older brother! How I love you! My fondest childhood memories are of the time you spent with us at the beach, iceskating, playing sports, and just relaxing at home. I don't know if you remember, but I remember when I was afraid to go out past where the ocean waves break at the beach. They were so big, but you were bigger in my eyes. You held my hand and made sure I felt safe. You told me when to jump and when to swim under. I remember the feeling of the waves lifting me off my feet, but I was anchored to you. I knew I wasn't going anywhere. Eventually you let go of my hand and let me go off on my own. I took all that you taught me and swam about, enjoying the waves. I think about that day often. You taught me so many other things: you taught me to throw discus and shotput, you played football with me, basketball, tennis, disneymania, monopoly, you name it, you played with your little sisters. You taught me so much more than that though. Your example has taught me more than you know. Your kindness and childlike love for life has always inspired me and made me laugh. I love your nonsense. I'll always remember that giant eye that follows me around. It doesn't see anything, but MAN is it CREEPY! I love you, and I know you love and want what's best for me. Thank you for everything you've taught me. Thank you for being my anchor and my example until I was ready to take on the ocean on my own. I flounder sometimes, but I remember what I learned from you and I can make it past any wave that comes my way.

Jane,
I'm so glad I can call you sister. I look up to you so much. I think you are a fantastic mother and I hope I can be like you in that way someday. I love it when you share blogs and creative websites with me. I hope we always do that when we get together. I love you and Kaleb together. Seeing you always makes me happy. I hope I can come to you for advice in my marriage and when I'm ready to be a mom. Thank you so much for being a part of our family. I love you!

Darren,
You are my big brother. You always challenged me to be better, even when I didn't want to be challenged. You'll probably deny this, but I will never forget how you would come into mine, Kessia's and Krista's room late at night and wake us up to talk to us. We screamed and yelled for you to leave, but you stayed. I always loved those late night talks. I remember when you would take us to Joshua Hills late at night to play basketball. We would climb the fence and take off running if we saw a janitor coming. You tied a backpack to that old yellow sled and Krista, Kessia, and I would sit on it and you would pull us around on the grass. The three of us could never pull you in return. Once you took us to the track at Palmdal High. You told me if I ran an 800 in under a certain time, you would buy me a slurpee. I ran. You wouldn't tell me my time until after you bought me the drink. I was one second off, but you still bought it for me. I never forgot that. You took me running on the street, and sometimes run/yardsale shopping. Raingutter boat racing was always one of my favorite things, you jumped in waste high water to save our boats from going down to the sewer. Once you came home talking about this giant fish tank that someone was throwing away and how you wanted it. You let me tag along and we dressed in black and went and rescued it from the curb. I can't remember why, or what we used it for, but I loved all of our crazy adventures. Everything we did, I looked up to you. I still do. Everything I do now, I hope you approve of, no matter how much I deny it I truly care what you think and want you to be proud of me. I love you, brother. I want to follow in your footsteps.

Janell,
Our family get togethers aren't complete without you. I don't get to see you as much as I'd like to, but when I do I love being around you. I love your sweetness. Your laugh is contagious and you are so much fun. You're my sister and I love you.

Zachary,
There is no one quite like you. I don't think our family would function without you. You are the adhesive that keeps us all together. You do everything we all know we want to do. I admire you so much, and peanutbutter and marshmallows? GROSS! That just grosses me out! Ha. I can't believe you put up with me. I love to tease you Zach, but I do it lovingly, if you can believe it. Like when I call you David, instead of Zachary, or when I come give you a big hug and smooch, because I know you'll push me away. I know you are the most patient person on the planet. You're an inspiration to me and countless others. Mom told me once that you were special. She said that in heaven you were a brave warrior of the Lord and you fought against Satan so valiantly that he tried his best to make your life harder than most people's. You are so strong, and I believe her words. In spite of all of the challenges you face, you still find this joy in life and want to share it with others. I love you so much. You are my hero.

Kessia,
You are my big sister. You are amazing. I can't think of a single thing I don't admire about you. I want to be more like you. No one quite laughs like you and I. It makes my guts hurt just thinking about it. There's no bond quite like that of sisters and you are the best there is. You're an example to me and you are the best influence I could ask for. I am so glad I get to watch and follow you in life. I know I haven't always felt that way. We used to fight. I threw chairs at you. Once I threw a coaster at you. It hit the floor and bounced up and broke a window. I think we looked at each other and laughed. I like to think I've grown since then. I remember Monday night movies with you at the Movies 8; running around the theatre in sweats because no one else was there on Mondays. I loved our Barne's and Noble runs and all the time we spent together in the summers. We house-sat for the Williams and killed all their plants. We lived together in Provo. Movie nights with you, eating French Bread, and Nutella were my favorite. We hiked the Timp all night and were utterly unprepared. You went on a mission and I missed you all the time. Your letters encouraged me. You came back and we ran a half marathon together! Kessia, we will always be close. You and Krista are my best friends. The three of us have something truly special in each other. I have the best sisters in the whole wide world!!!!! I love you.

"God smiles on my little sister, inside and out she's better than I am"

Krista,
You are my baby sister, but you are the example to me. You are doing such great things and I look up to you for that. You are so much smarter than me in a million ways, thanks for being so humble about it ;). We have a lot of fun together. We have that sisterly bond and I love the things we do together. I love hearing about how school is going and how track and all of your other sports are coming. I love picking you up from school, even when I have to take 12 of your friends home too. I love when we shop together, when we take silly pictures with the webcam, facebook chat when we're sitting 3 feet away from eachother, I love just relaxing with you: watching movies and eating HEALTHY food. I remember when we went to Hollywood Video to find a scary movie to watch on Halloween, but they all looked too awful, so we picked out a good chick-flick. I love our private jokes, "No you wear a jacket." "No YOU shutup!" (Those are two different jokes, but they're remarkably similar. Ha.)I love laughing with you. We're funny...soooo funny. And pretty...soooo pretty. I love it when you let me do your hair and makeup and do big sister things for you, like make your Halloween costume, or Spirit Day outfit. Thanks for letting me feel like the big sister sometimes, thank you for letting me do things for you. You are always the best listener when I want to talk about silly girl things. Thank you so much for putting up with all of my none sense. I love you so much baby sister. You and Kessia are my very best friends. You are the best sisters in the whole world! (Like I already told Kessia) We have something really special and we will always be close. Thank you for everything you do for me Krista. I appreciate you so much.

"I have an excellent father, his strength is making me stronger."

Dad,
I don't express to you enough what you mean to me. I don't think I've ever told you how much I love listening to you talk. I remember going to volleyball tournaments, track meets, and whatever else with you. We usually had to drive at least an hour. I always loved sitting in the car just talking with you. Especially coming home. I was tired and sometimes I would fall asleep to your voice. There isn't any other sound that makes me feel more relaxed and happy. I always loved playing the game where we guess what time we'll get home. You always won. You are knowledgeable in so many areas. Sometimes when you talk to me I wonder "Why and how on earth does he know this?" But I loved hearing it. Do you remember Christmas of 2009? We went to Utah to see family. Krista and Mom went home early. You, Zach, and I walked around Temple Square together. That is my favorite Christmas memory. We walked around in the night chill arm and arm. I don't remember what you said, but I remember how I felt: cold, all I had was my family reunion sweatshirt, but I was so happy just to walk with you. Then we got to drive home together; the whole 9 hours. You told me stories about your childhood friend Carlisle, and growing up in Parawon. We stopped at Quizno's for dinner. I loved that trip. Despite all my complaining, I like watching "boring" TV with you. Even if it's How It's Made: GLUE. I admire you so much Dad. I admire your knowledge, your work ethic, and most of all your patience and unconditional love for all of us. That is a characteristic I want to emulate with my family. I know I can come to you with anything, and you will help me and support me any way you can. I want to make you proud of me. I remember when we were little and we compared everything to you. When I learned that an eagle's wingspan was taller than Dad, I couldn't believe it. You were a giant to me. You still are. I love you Dad.

"My Daddy's smart, and you're the prettiest lady in the whole wide world."

Mom,
I remember when I was little, I would try to remember to tell you "I love you mom, you're beautiful," everyday. I remember vaguely sitting at the bar one day and telling you that you were more beautiful than all of the unicorns in the whole world. To a young girl, that's a pretty big deal you see. I remember cuddling with you and watching Murder She Wrote with you, and Hello Dolly, and other Mommy shows. I remember our Girl's Nights, when the boys were out on a campout. I don't remember what we did, but I remember how much fun we had, I remember always being excited for those nights. I remember once we all got the stomach flu. The TV room was piled high with blankets crackers and sprite. As miserable as the stomach flu is, parts of that experience were really nice, and for some reason that memory sticks out to me. I got a little older and I became the biggest brat imaginable. I can't believe you put up with me. I'm sorry for all of those years. I know my teenage girls are going to get me back for that, but I hope when they grow up, they feel the way about me, that I feel about you. I love you Mom. I love talking to you and hearing about how everything at home is. I love it when you tell me about family history and your latest breakthrough. I love being able to call you when I'm excited about something, or when I need advice. Thank you for always being there for me. Thank you for always being willing to listen and offer guidance. I think I must have forgotten in highschool that you know everything, I remember that now and I will be calling for help often. I love spending time with you. Whether it's sewing, shopping, or just running errands and talking. I remember when I was 11 you took me to San Diego to go to the temple and shop and have fun to celebrate my "becoming a woman." You said we were going to "Paint the town red!" I remember saying, "Moooooom!!! and being totally embarrassed by that comment. I had so much fun that day. You bought me an outfit from K-mart and an icecream so big I couldn't finish it and I felt sick on the way home. I want you to always be a big part of my life Mom. I want to be like you. I want to have your compassion for those less fortunate. I want to be able to see people's needs the way you do. I hope I can find the strength you have. You do so much for me, thank you so much for everything. I'll make it up to you with Grandbabies to spoil someday. And I promise, you will always be welcome to come and see and treat them. They are all going to be Grandma's girls and boys for sure. Again, I love you so much. Thank you for being the best Mom in the whole world.

"Now I know why all the trees change in the fall, I know you were on my side even when I was wrong and I love you for giving me your eyes and staying back and watching me shine. I didn't know if you knew, so I'm taking this chance to say that I had the best day with you today."

Dear Babies Elizabeth, Kaleb, and Lilia,
You are the cutest babies ever. I love when I get to take care of you. Tell you're parents you want me to babysit you and I'll bring you chocolate and we can watch Dora the Explorer, Baby Einstein, and play with balls and lots of other fun baby things! I love you Babies!

Mamma Taught Me

2011-03-08T13:48:00.000-08:00

Me and about a million other girls LOVE this song, for obvious reasons.
My mom taught me that my choice in marriage will have a greater impact on my life than any other choice I make. It has to be to the right person, in the right place, and at the right time.
Daren Cullimore, Los Angeles Temple, April 9th, 2011
I promise you Mom, it's right.

Winter 2011 Theme Song

2011-02-09T21:20:00.000-08:00

Workin like a dog, scrubbing toilets at 4AM.

New Friend

2011-02-08T10:22:00.000-08:00

Yesterday on my run, I passed a young man going the opposite direction as me. He had a very poorly behaved dog with him. The dog was running in the street and up to strangers and doing whatever it wanted. The owner didn't seem to care what the dog did. I found this odd, but figured, some people just have no consideration for others, and continued on my run. As I came around another loop, I saw the same fellow with the same dog, only the dog promptly turned around and began to tag along with me! "Huh," I thought, "So the dog wasn't his after all." And so the dog suddenly fell under my borrowed responsibility. I wasn't sure what to do, I figured he would soon get bored and trot off and leave me be, but the dog began running out to the street and chasing cars, nearly killing himself. I shouted after him "DOG NO! Come back Dog!!!" Then he would run back to me and chomp on some snow. I couldn't leave him to get killed in the street, so I continued to try to control him as he ran with me. Then, Dog ran out to a big black truck and began threatening it with his barks and snarls. The truck pulled over and a young man shouted out the window,"IS THIS YOUR DOG?" "NO!" I responded with a laugh. The young man, who had a lady friend with him, was willing to take Dog, who obviously belonged to someone, off the streets. We had a difficult time getting him to climb into the back of the truck. He kept wanting to follow me, bless his heart. So finally I picked him up and shoved him into the bed of the truck. I turned with a "THANK YOU!" and continued my run, only to be surprised 5 seconds later by dog right by my side again. I laughed. I liked this crazy dog. OK, time to get down to business, Dog would have to go inSIDE the car this time. I once again lifted his hind quarters off the ground and pushed him into the truck and closed the door. "It's for your own good Dog." I waved and thanked the couple again, and began to run, laughing and shaking my head all the while. I'll miss my new car chasing, snow eating friend. I hope you find your home Dog!

He Put a Ring on it.

2011-02-08T10:15:00.000-08:00

Daren and I officially got engaged on December 29, 2010.
I arrived at the SEATAC airport late in the morning on December 29. The flight had been smooth and I anxiously waited as the plane taxied along the runway. I sent Daren an excited text, "WE JUST LANDED!!!!" I scampered through the tunnel into the airport with an extra spring in my step and an anxious smile budding and bursting on from lips. My searching eyes began examining the scenery around me, hunting for a face among the crowds of strangers. My heart began to race, and then I found him. I couldn't contain the smile any longer, it erupted and overflowed, spreading down to me toes. I dropped my suitcase and ran into open arms.
We went about our day, excited that our time apart was finally over. Soon enough it was almost dinner time and Daren's mother asked us to pick up some juice from the store. We made our way to the store and back without anything unusual happening, or at least not that I noticed. I have realized that I am the most oblivious person on the planet. I didn't notice as Daren's family drove right past us on our way home and I certainly didn't notice that the car was gone. I walked into a dim and empty house wondering, "Where is everyone, why is it so dark?" not noticing the decorated table and romantic mood. It took me a second..."OOOH!" I turned and gave Daren, who was waiting for my reaction, a quizzical look. I turned around and my eyes found a curious object that was placed on the coffee table in the living room. Daren asked if we could do our Christmas exchange before dinner, so I sat on the couch near the coffee table and he handed me a letter. The letter explained the gift: it was a mailbox of sorts, a personal one in which I would receive letters from him. Attatched was a light, and when the light was on, I had a new letter. The gift was carved in the shape of a tree, with a space in the trunk for the letters to go. It was beautiful and definitely took a lot of work to make. The last paragraph spoke of the first time we spent time together alone...we walked to Jamba Juice and came back and climbed a tree near my apartment and talked. Then the letter mentioned a question he hoped he would get to ask me since that day. Then, he opened the top of the tree (mailbox) and inside was a ring. He got down on one knee and asked if I would marry him. I was blown away and so all I managed was to croak out a yes. We celebrated together the rest of the evening and I'm still jumping for joy.
I love this fella.

"I Don't Want to go with the Pig-Face!"

2011-02-06T00:21:00.000-08:00

Bought the soundtrack finally.
I love this movie.

Well Holy Moly, Me-Oh-My

2011-01-27T21:25:00.000-08:00

I feel as though I should inform my blog that Daren and I are engaged! I'll reveal that story a little later, but for now I'd like to take a moment to reflect on familiarity.The comfort we feel in our homes, with our families removes the burden of uncertainty that is laden on our shoulders, cures the fear of an unknown future that so often plagues us. We live our longest days yearning to go home, a place we know and we are known. Well, I returned to Rexburg earlier this month where, I once again, am working my 4AM custodial job. I am tired all the time. I spend a good deal of time on campus, walking around bleary eyed, looking into the face of stranger after stranger as I mill about. I'm taking new classes, one in particular more often than not, presents me with new concepts, tremendously difficult for me to grasp. Don't misunderstand, I love being here, I love my classes, roommates, fiancee', but there have already been days when pressure, confusion, doubt, and immense frustration ignite and are fueled to panic levels by weariness. Not too long ago such a day presented itself to me. My last class (the one that is proving itself to be a nuisance) delivered the final measure of frustration and about half way through the class I was near tears, feeling like everything was going over my head and I was doomed to wander in obliviousness and failure all my days (side note: when you're sleep deprived, molehills are mountains). I returned to my apartment in a cloud of mental chaos, contemplating my seemingly endless to-do list. I remained in my miserable fog until, I was home. In one astounding moment, it was alright. Warmth washed over me, and sweet reassurance and clarity of what was real and important. This was something I knew, and would always know, this was certain, this wouldn't change. My apartment although a home for now, couldn't have relieved me this way. No, only the face of my beloved: a familiarity that although is only built on eight months, reflects eternity, could expel the gloom of the day. There is nothing that feels as natural, as right as the time I spend with him. My future husband, whom I will only know better with time, will always be the home I return to. He is and will be, the familiarity that banishes all uncertainty. My comfort. My happiness. My love. Nothing could ever be so wrong that it could not be made right by those reassuring, unbelievable blue eyes.

Silly song, sweet concept.

Giving Thanks

2010-11-28T22:08:00.001-08:00

This past week was Thanksgiving break. The week that Daren FINALLY came down to Palmdale. Several months ago, Daren and I walked and talked in Tremonton Utah. We were on our way back up to Idaho after visiting his family and spending the Fourth of July with them. We stopped to visit some more of Daren's family in the small town in Utah and decided to take a walk in the early evening. We explored an abondoned wheat tower-thing, and fooled around and talked. If I remember right, it was on this walk that we first spoke of the future in any way shape or form. We had both previously expressed distaste for long distance relationships, but as we walked, we shared our desires to continue our courtship during the fall; a time when we would be separated. It may have been on this walk, or perhaps another, that I casually mentioned Thanksgiving break, just planting the idea that we might spend it together. And that night, all those months ago, lit the long fuse for what has been an emotionally explosive week.
Daren drove down last Saturday. I had been preparing for his arrival for days, finishing up homework, decorating, cleaning, and working on the plans I had for the week. I can't believe after all the waiting and anticipation, he's already back in Idaho, but anyway, he arrived Saturday night and shortly thereafter joined my family and I for Stake Conference. I must say, it is extremely difficult to concentrate when your sweetheart, whom you haven't seen for two months, is sitting right next to you all handsome-like and smooch-able. Sunday was another session of Stake Conference and we spent the rest of the day relaxing together. Monday may have been my favorite day of the whole break. It was Daren's birthday celebration, despite the fact that his actual birthday was 6 weeks earlier. That evening, we made dinner together and got all gussied up for the occasion. Before we ate, I insisted on giving him his birthday gift. I played and sang for him a song that I had prepared just for the occasion; one that he knows means a great deal to me. After that we sat down to eat, but only managed a few bites. We danced together, talked together, and celebrated together. I can't imagine a more perfect evening. Tuesday was a part of Daren's Christmas present, despite the face that Christmas isn't for another four weeks. After Daren went to bed I picked up a few friends (Thanks again Natalie and Tyler!) and we busted a Christmas mission. We decorated my house for Christmas, tree and all to surprise Daren.
The next day was, for all intents and purposes, Christmas. I showed Daren my family's traditions, and my family, being wonderful, as they are, were happy to participate. We played Danish games, made Danish chocolate, and tree decorations. We had a real Christmas dinner, went caroling, and watched a Muppet's Christmas Carol. At the end of the day, Daren and I say around the fire with hot chocolate and Christmas music playing quietly in the background. It was a fantastic day. The rest of the week we spent just enjoying eachother's company.
We even got to go to the Los Angeles Temple together on Saturday morning before Daren left for Idaho. It was his first time there, but it won't be his last ;) All in all, this week was the highlight of the season hands down.
Perhaps I should also mention the fun talk Daren and I had with both my parents. He requested a one on one with my Dad, but my mother, being my mother bless her heart, insisted on sitting in. After their talk, they called me down and we all had a fun chat about our future, and both of our families. It feels good to take steps towards making things official. Now all I need is the rock. Ha. Kidding, of course.

Song of the Moment X3

2010-11-10T01:20:00.000-08:00

These three songs have been blowin UP my headphones. LOVE them! There is so much amazing music out there. I just want to take a moment to appreciate some of it...
This last video makes me laugh. Makes me want to kick some ninja BUTT!

1:54:56

2010-11-09T23:31:00.000-08:00

Thousands have gathered. There has been months of preparation: sweat, tears, pushing to the point of exhaustion, countless hours dedicated to a single event.Saturday November 6, 2010. A day that seemed as though it would never come, and here it is. Three thousand people crowded together at 6:30 AM from all over the state, squinting into a bright light, all preparing their minds for the moment of truth. The announcement is made, "One minute!" then "Thirty seconds!" The mob begins to move forward, slow and steady. Nerves churning in the stomach's of every person in the throng. I step on the thick plastic starting mat shoulder to shoulder with those around me. We soon spread out and then it hits me. I'm finally doing it! The cool ocean air rushes past as I speed up, passing person after person, watching others pass me. I take a moment to soak it in, tears of joy burn in my chest, but do not come to my eyes. I have never felt so free. Determination takes over and I charge forward. I feel as though I'm part of something. Something important. Those around me are not competitors, but comrades all fighting for greatness. Battling the odds and pushing past physical pain to reach a higher existence. A noble cause to me it seems, although I realize that this whole affair will only take us thirteen miles from where we began. Just thirteen miles, and yet I know that when I cross that finish line, I will be so far from where I started. We are runners. We are exceptional: doing things most people scoff at, things that most people couldn't imagine doing, or enjoying for that matter and yet as I run down that street surrounded by three thousand strangers, I find it impossible to keep my lips from stretching into a liberated smile. I'm flying! Time passes. Still running. Weariness hits like a train, head on and crippling. I begin to slow down. I see a mile marker. Seven miles, less than an hour has passed, I've never been this fast. A new possibility blossoms in my mind. A new goal is anchored in my bosom. A new determination pours into my fading limbs. New energy, new life. Miles eight and nine pass fueled by resolution. Then I see it. I stare up at what I knew was coming, but I almost hoped wouldn't. Lean forward. Pump arms. Climb higher and higher. Don't stop, can't stop. Burning muscles, dripping sweat, eyes on the top. Runners pour over the top of the hill and there suddenly seems to be more air. I stretch out my legs and let gravity whisk me away. Three miles left. Two miles. One mile and I'm suddenly nervous again. How can one last mile be more intimidating than all the others? But there it is, one never ending mile. People appear at the sidelines with signs and shouts of encouragement. My eyes search for the end, and then it appears. Speed speed speed! And suddenly I'm walking...it's over. I have done it. I'VE DONE IT! I have to let it sink in. Stiff and tired and smiling I wait for my sister and dear friend to join me at the end of our journey. A sense of pride and fulfillment lift me off the ground and I float into cloud of euphoria. Who knew 13 miles could take me so far?

Oh, the Times We've Had.

2010-10-24T17:56:00.000-07:00

Sunday adventure in the mountains.
I miss my Daren. I miss our ridiculousness. This semester apart has helped me appreciate all the days I spent with him just doing simple things. What I wouldn't give for a walk around Porter Park. I miss studying and not getting anything done. I miss finding only Top Ramen in the pantry and giving each other a look that meant, "Little Caesar's?" "Definitely." Disney movies will never be the same. Why swim laps when I don't have someone playing water basketball at the other end, waiting for me to finish? Where's the excitement in running and being completely safe from being picked up and thrown in a muddy puddle? How could I possibly enjoy a thunderstorm by myself now? I am ruined. Now that I've had him, nothing is as sweet without him with me.

Favorite Places and Faces of Denmark

2010-10-16T11:08:00.000-07:00

We are back from Denmark! I have way too many pictures to post on a blog, but for the next few minutes I will be taking you through some of my favorite places and people on our trip.

The beach nearby where we stayed in Denmark. This was my favorite place to go and sit, walk around, and of course, take pictures.

The sommer hous we stayed in for a week in Denmark. I LOVED this place. Surrounded by farms and gorgeous countryside and ten minutes from the ocean.

My Mormor!

Sights and things in Sweden.
To be continued...

Seven Week Break

2010-09-25T00:06:00.001-07:00

Lava Hot Springs.

Yup. That's me. I'm awesome.
I admit Daren's jump is way cooler, but it's my blog so I get to be bigger.

The actual HOT hot springs were amazing. We are so going back here in the winter time.

Monkey Rock.
We swam under those falls...in case you were wondering.

Dare Bear.

Me and the Sunscreen coordinated outfits. Lorraine would be proud.

Last Day in Rexy.

And Texas Roadhouse made us both feel queezy.
Recovering.

Heh heh heh.

Two days ago was the official beginning of fall. I must say, I am sad to see summer go. I miss the time I had with my sweetheart in Idaho. I miss the free feeling that comes along with a carefree summer. And yet, there is so much about Fall that I am looking forward to. Seeing my sister again being the main source of happy anticipation. And then of course, there's winter. My return to Rexburg will be a joyous event no doubt as it is also, my return to Daren. So I'm sitting on a radiant summer plaguing my mind with happy memories, a bright and hopeful fall sending me into a tizzy of excitement, and a shining winter drawing ever nearer, icy winds whistling songs of love and reunion.

Now as for the upcoming Spring, there's a whole new level of anxious excitement there. But I'll save that for a later entry.

You Ain't Seen Nothing Like Me Yet.

2010-09-08T14:20:00.000-07:00

One of my all time favorite love songs.

"A Brown Headed Stranger with a Five Letter Name"

2010-08-23T18:54:00.000-07:00

Sometimes when I'm with him I still can't believe it. Is this really the same Daren from over a year ago? How did this happen? Where did it start? It's been months and it still blows my mind. I still remember the first time I met Daren with all of my roommates. He was in my ward last summer and the first day in church my roommates pinpointed their apartment as the most attractive row of guys in the ward. I was dating someone at the time so I turned my head dutifully. My roommates quickly became friends with Daren's roommates, but both of us were a little out of the loop; at first anyway. We officially met him when his roommates brought him to play wallyball with all of us. He doesn't remember this, but I remember that he let loose and went a little bonkers. I have the picture in my mind of him jumping up and down in a very frog like manner on the wallyball court. My roommates proclaimed praises of his hilarity when we got back to our apartment. I smiled and nodded as they laughed and talked about his entertaining antics on the court and of course his attractive features, again turning my head (metaphorically) with the dedication of a faithful dog. Daren and I never really hit it off. We were barely friends. When the Fourth of July came around, my roommates planned a weekend trip to Montana with the fav guys' apartment. I wouldn't be going, however. It was my duty to return home to Palmdale to my dear sweetheart who would be anxiously waiting for my visit. My roommates had a wild adventure on their road trip and developed a strong relationship with Daren and his roommates. While they were out doing this, I was heading for a fall. On my last night in Palmdale tragedy struck! My darling sweetie pie determined that our time of nearly two years together was over. What dreadful news! Cruel twist of fate! My unsurpassable faithfulness had been tossed aside! So I returned to school. I frequently tagged along with my roommates and their tightly knit group; seeing Daren on occasion, who I don't believe I ever had a direct conversation with. We went to his and his roommate's championship flag football game and cheered them on. "GO PINK WARRIORS!" "Go James! Go Greg! Go Daren!" was the closest Daren and I ever got to chatting. At the end of the semester, we all went our separate ways and Daren and I parted without a second glance at each other.

Now picture this: Winter Semester 2010 rolls around and I am back in Idaho. Months have passed and my attitude has changed. I am in love with Rexburg, excited to make new friends, and I'm more involved in my own life. I see my almost friend Daren in the Hart building and I emphatically greet him; generously displaying the gap between my two front teeth in a wide grin. He has forgotten my name. "It's Daniella." Still smiling. I bump into him in the gym sometimes and at church on Sundays though he is no longer in my ward. Always a pleasure, although I still know close to nothing about him. The new, more friendly Daniella invites him to come to my apartment and have a summer 2009 reunion with my roommates. He comes, and spends time with my roommates and I. Nothing happens. Still see him around. Still smile. Spring Semester begins. He wants to come over again. He does. He's funny and oh so handsome. I run into him at the gym again, we chat. I may have even batted my eyelashes once or twice. Later that night I'm in bed. About to fall asleep, roommie Alyssa walks in. "Daniella are you asleep? If your not asleep you should come into the kitchen." Blankets fly and I run, bare feet pounding on the thin apartment floor, "Sorry, girls who live below us." I slide to a stop, a squeal of pleasure escapes my curled lips. On the table staring back at me, a case of muffins and Sunny D wishing me a good morning and asking me on a date. Unexpected, but certainly not unwelcome.

I wonder why I didn't see it in him before. Why wasn't it there a year ago? I think my mother said it best, "Isn't it funny how you see someone, and then you see someone?"

So now we have been dating for three months and I'm still wide-eyed amazed by it all. I don't think anyone saw it coming, but boy did it come and its here to stay. It's still hard for me to believe that there is a person out there who fits me this well, a person who makes me this happy, a person this good for me. He's out there alright. He's real and I get to hold his hand everyday. I get to look at him and see him looking back at me. I get him, how did I swing that? Well, I have no idea but I'm not stopping to ask questions. I am mad for this handsome fella and there's no way I'm letting him go.

I'll Fly South just as the Fall Begins.

2010-08-22T23:42:00.000-07:00

Love this song.

Road Trip Summer

2010-08-19T22:16:00.000-07:00

Here at BYU Idaho we have something called the Seven Week Break. We're on a track system so there are three full semesters a year. In between the summer and fall there are seven weeks that everyone has off. We are well into the seven week break and Daren and I have yet to spend a weekend here in town. We've gone to a family reunion, a baby blessing, a wedding, and well once we went to Utah for sushi and to celebrate my birthday early.

CALIFORNIA TRIP
4 AM and weeeee're off!
This trip was a blast. We went to my cousin's wedding reception in Los Angeles and spent the day at the beach with my family. I even got to check something off my bucket list and ride the ferris wheel on the Santa Monica Pier at night. Amaaaaazing. We also ran along the ocean the next morning and then traveled to Palmdale for a day and a half. BYU So Cal NEEDS to happen.

That's all for now. More stories later. Work in the AM Goodnight world.

Artists at Work

2010-08-03T21:20:00.000-07:00

Final Final

2010-07-27T20:01:00.000-07:00

Roll out of bed, fall on my feet, confused. It's dark. Something's vibrating. It's the alarm, shoot, the volume was turned down. 4 AM; I'm late for work. Feel around in the blackness for a pair of jeans and car keys. 4:17 AM; clock in and drag my lead feet to each bathroom and scrub toilet after toilet. A urinal splashes me. Time passes tiredly, it was up at 4AM too. 7 AM, clock out. Home. Bed.
Awake again. Light outside. Finals today. Throw legs off mattress. Stand, pause, wait for the walls to stop spinning. Too many sleepless nights. *sniffle sniffle. cough.* Get cleaned up. Sit down to write a paper. Mind cloudy, cutting through the fog, searching for intelligent thoughts. Locate them, force them to my fingertips. *click click click* Done. Study for Middle East Test. Dry eyes review readings, outlines, and notes. Forget to blink. No time. To the testing center. Insurmountable distance. The ache of 4 AM pushing on tired joints, make way across campus. Heat. Beads of sweat line underarms. Pencil in hand, arms swinging slowly. Climb the stairs. One deliberate step at a time. Staring out the giant window at those who are already free. One more test to join them. The line is short. Sit down. When was Israel made a state? 1948. Filling in tiny bubbles, funny how important this is. Final question, finished. Stand slowly, checking and rechecking. Is it really over? One thing left to do. Wait for my score to show on the life giving score board. 91% Great Job! Thank you scoreboard. Now I must go home. Freedom, exhausted freedom.

Finals week is OVER!

You're Made of Rubber...Gumby.

2010-06-29T22:08:00.000-07:00

Meet One "R" Daren. :)

Sing Me to Sleep Regina

2010-06-08T21:42:00.000-07:00

That 70's Dance

2010-05-23T14:30:00.000-07:00

My roommates and I attended a disco dance here at BYU Idaho last night. We got all dressed up and had dinner, it was like a miniature prom...in the seventies. It was an absolute blast and I got an AMAZING pair of pants out of it. Be jealous.

Chocolate Milk

2010-04-23T16:00:00.000-07:00

I do Believe I'll Find Myself a New Place

2010-04-13T22:51:00.000-07:00

I'll walk right out into a brand new day,
Insane and rising in my own weird way.

Bring on Summer Semester!
This semester will either make or break my chances of getting into Provo. It could be my last semester in Idaho. It could be the semester I decide I don't want to leave Idaho at all. It will be a trying time, I'll have to dig deep and gather all the gumption I have to pull good grades, hold a job, play volleyball, and attempt to have a social life. YOWSA!

Rolled Ankle and Torn Phonebooks

2010-03-07T22:52:00.000-08:00

I've got bad news and good news.
BAD: I rolled my ankle, but it's doing much better. I know it's gross.

But man is it cool!
GOOD: I tore a Phonebook in half today.

Extra Credit...?

2010-02-28T21:20:00.000-08:00

Yup, this is an extra credit assignment for a class.

Regina Binge

2010-02-25T14:46:00.000-08:00

Regina Spektor has taken over my headphones as of late.

Fine Wine and Hypothermia

2010-02-21T01:35:00.000-08:00

POND SKIMMING!
I, Daniella Robinson, Snowboarded down a snow ramp in a t-shirt and shorts, into a pond in the middle of February. I fell twice. I've been snowboarding once in my life, as you may have read, but it was soooo sick! I've got some pretty legit battle wounds, as you can see. It was one of the coolest things I think I've ever done. After watching some of the other warriors speed into the chilly water, I made my way home and proceeded to get ready for a night on the town with the roomies and some friends. The long awaited Fine Wine and Cheese Party in the house next door! Of course there was no wine, and there wasn't actually cheese either, but there was GREAT company, music, and dancing. We got all gussied up and hit the dance floor. I would like to say that I LOVE getting ready infront of a sink with five other girls with only 2 outlets and loud music playing. It is quite exciting. It was a wonderful ending to a thrilling and COLD night.

Shout out to one of the roommies CT, I stole the last four pics from her! Thank you dahling!

Iceburg Love

2010-02-16T23:18:00.001-08:00

It's like a painting.
Nailed it.
Very first Rexburg snow...mouse. Mickie
Poofy Jacket Love

Valentine '09 goes DOWWWNNN

2010-02-15T00:25:00.000-08:00

Is there anything better than festive socks?
09' VS '10
2010 takes the CAKE!
The amazing homemade chocolate cheesecake.
YUMMM

Check it Off the List

2010-02-11T09:51:00.000-08:00

Dance Boarding.
Fell on my butt a lot...if you couldn't tell.
Really excited.
Dear Heather Soderborg, you're amazing.
LIFT

Snowboarding for the first time ever in life..Success!!!

Duuuuuude

2010-01-28T10:35:00.000-08:00

Some of my favorite words to hear, especially in the gymn: "Duuuuude! She totally beat you!" Mwahahaha.
Love it.

Why Wait?

2010-01-28T09:34:00.001-08:00

I recently read a very romantic story about a girl and her long time beau. He's on a mission now and her very detailed description of their heartfelt goodbye, and him asking her to wait for him wrinkled my nose a little bit. Don't get me wrong, it was very sweet and it's great if they get married, it's just not something I'm interested in doing. It's my personal opinion that "waiting" two years for someone stunts an individual's personal growth. Focusing all attention, affection, and energy on one person who they will never interact with other than letters once or twice a month doesn't leave much room for anything else. If it's love, it will work out in the end, in the mean time you shouldn't be home alone miserably consumed by your longing, aching, and missing that person. I believe it's important at this stage in our lives to get out and experience things, to date around, meet young people that we like, and even ones we are not all that fond of. It's time to learn about ourselves and grow and mature, and I just don't think that is possible when you are mentally somewhere across the country or even the world. I plan on being immersed in the life I am living right now, right here. Focus on what is going on around me and enjoy it fully. I've got no room in my schedule to set aside part of my life for waiting. What a horrible word.

"What are you doing?"
"Waiting."
(Absolutely nothing)

Waiting: do nothing expecting something to happen: to stay in one place or do nothing for a period of time until something happens or in the expectation or hope that something will happen
Encarta ® World English Dictionary © & (P) 1998-2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

What a HORRIBLE word.

I suppose waiting for a missionary doesn't neccessarily mean focusing all of your energy on them, but there are definitely things you will miss out on if all of you're hopes and devotion are dedicated to a person who in all reality has been reduced to pictures, letters, and memories. Maybe some see it as the only way of obtaining their one true love, for time and all eternity. If this is the case, best of luck to those people, but as I said, if it's real and there is nothing in the wolrd better than the undying love a pair has for each other, they will find their way back to each other without one of them having to live at a stand still for two years, which would probably make the two years feel a lot longer anyway. I'm not saying give up hope for that one person, just don't stop living when they leave.

In the words of John Mayer:

"If you never stop, stop when you wave goodbye,
you just might find if you give it time you just might wave hello again.
That’s the way this wheel keeps working now.
I believe that my life’s gonna see the love I give return to me."

I'm not sure why I had a need to say all of this...blog vomit I suppose.

Summary of the Semester...thus far

2010-01-26T16:59:00.000-08:00

-Old Friends
-New Friends
-Rock climing
-Frozen nose-hair...and head-hair
-Falling on the ice
-Basketball team
(first game tonight!)
-Volleyball
-Wallyball Team...soon anyway
-Russel M. Nelson
-Weights
-Sooo much ruunning
-Budget
-Talk
-Letters
-Possibly Aced a math test
-HOMEWORK HOMEWORK HOMEWORK

And So much more to come. Winter 2010...LOVE IT!

Letter to my love

2010-01-14T19:39:00.000-08:00

Dear Provo,
Let me first say that I love you and I miss you, but you should know I have met somewhere. I'm falling in love with Rexburg. Every time I step outside it is an adventure and probably most thrilling thing of all, running in the snow to the temple and then flying down to the river. Standing on that bridge out of breath, seeing ever puff of tired air float up into the sky, feeling the icy breeze kissing my face, and staring out onto the almost completely frozen water, soaking everything in, it's magic.

Provo, I think it's just bad timing for us. Someday we'll be together again, but I'm happy here for now can't you see? I will always love you.
Sincerely,
Daniella

Memories Made in the Coldest Winter

2010-01-12T23:07:00.000-08:00

Winter Semester Theme Song for 2010!
Turns out, I don't know any happy songs about winter. Go figure.
Oh Kanye. :)

Back in the Burg

2010-01-09T22:33:00.000-08:00

I am back in Rexburg! I am so happy to be back! The first week of school wass great. I am looking forward to the rest of what I know will be an amazing semester. Huzzah!

Dear Daniella,

2009-12-14T00:07:00.000-08:00

This is how I feel about missionary letters.

Story Time

2009-12-13T23:54:00.000-08:00

Last week was supposed to help the Elders in our ward teach this 18 year old girl at her house. So a half hour before the appointment they came over and told me what they wanted me to teach. Then they left and I would meet them at the house in a few minutes. SO I looked over the lesson and hopped in my car…it wouldn’t start. Turns out I was 100% out of gas. I drove it on empty the day before thinking I could make it to a gas station on what I had left, then my mom drove Krista to school that morning and KILLED it. So I went and grabbed a backpack and stuffed my Preach my Gospel and scriptures in it and grabbed a bike from the garage…the tires were FLAT. So I made my way with my backpack and my flat tired bike(feeling like a real missionary). I got to the appointment house (less than ten minutes late) and the missionaries are outside sitting in their car. Turns out, the girl wasn't home, and wasn't coming. One of the Elders being the prepared young man that he is, had a bike pump in his backpack and kindly pumped up my tires and saw me off. As I was riding home, I stopped, crossed a street and began pedaling again and one of my pedals suddenly felt weird so I stopped. It didn’t look like there was anything I could do about it so I started again. Two pedals later it snaps completely off. This came as no surprise to me seeing that nothing else that day had gone right. So, I walked the bike uphill, and sat on it and kicked my feet to propel myself on the downhill parts and laughed the whole way home. It was incredibly funny looking, especially as I was holding one of my bike pedals in my hand. Let’s recap shall we?
• Gasless Car
• Flat tire bikes
• Appointment doesn’t’ show
• Bike pedal BREAKS off!
What a day.

Mormons are like Werewolves

2009-12-07T21:19:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I found out a young lady that has been in my Sunday school class since, well nursery got engaged. She is the THIRD girl from that Sunday School class that is getting married/engaged this year, at nineteen years old. I definitely don't want to get married any time all that soon, but I suddenly feel like I should want to. I feel like people in my ward are now waiting for me to be checked off the married list. It reminded me of that part in New Moon (silly I know) when Jacob describes the way Sam and others look at him waiting for something to happen, that is, for him to become a werewolf. So I imagine my three friends in their wedding dresses watching me, waiting for me to transform into a bride and join them in protecting the town from evil vampires.

Thanksgiving Week

2009-12-03T21:36:00.000-08:00

I promised a Thanksgiving recap and by gum I will provide one! Thanksgiving week was pretty good, parts of it were better than others. There was some illness, there was some unpleasantness, but most of the week was an absolute blast. Devil's Punchbowl, Six Flags, being silly tourists in Hollywood, and lots of other fun things made for a darn good time. I am sad that it ended the way it did (that is where the unpleasantness comes in). I won't go into detail, but it involved mood-matching weather (rain). Now I'm just hoping I didn't lose a friend.

Song of the Moment

2009-12-02T21:50:00.000-08:00

I absolutely cannot get this song out of my head. Plus Michael Buble' is dreeeeeamy.

Watch and Learn

2009-11-21T21:21:00.000-08:00

LOVE it. This, and other AMAZING videos can be found on http://www.mormonsmadesimple.com.

Wondrous Things are Sure to Happen

2009-11-14T01:00:00.000-08:00

This song popped into my head today. LOVE it.

Party City 2

2009-10-24T23:11:00.000-07:00

I got to wear a costume today! I was wearing this over my Party City Uniform for almost 7 hours and at the registers infront of those big windows, it gets ridiculously hot. The death heat, and a nasty stomach ache were making for an unpleasant day at work when suddenly, these little girls come to my register, carrying the two cutest puppies in the world. Instant happiness. So all together, today was a great day.

Results

2009-10-20T01:18:00.000-07:00

She was not upset. She thought it was funny. :) That's what I'm here for baby. Making life interesting for you.

Waiting Anxiously

2009-10-19T01:20:00.000-07:00

Tonight, I decided I would pull a prank on my sister Krista. I am quite excited to see the results. I think she'll be a little angry, but she'll know deep down that it is infact, hysterical.
So I created this masterpiece and printed it out 6 times with the words in bold red letters "Edward is Mine." directly below it. I then proceeded to tape each marvelous sheet to the insides of her books, folders, and notebooks. I'm not sure what to expect, but I can't wait for school tomorrow. Look what you can accomplish when you don't sleep.

Cousin DJ

2009-10-12T01:17:00.001-07:00

Man I miss this boy.

Danny&Isty

2009-10-12T00:38:00.000-07:00

This is Isty Face. Baby Sister extraordinaire. We're going on a double date around Thanksgiving. Don't let her tell you otherwise.

If Making Me Smile was an Olympic Event, You'd be Michael Phelps

2009-10-11T23:38:00.001-07:00

Last weekend I was able to attend General Conference with a very nice young man named Dexter Powers. Some of you may have heard of him, yeah if you're reading this you almost certainly have. But anyway, I flew out to Salt Lake last Friday where my aunt picked me up from the airport. He drove down from BYU Idaho and met up with me at my aunt's house, where we stayed for the weekend. It was a ridiculously fun time. He did hit me in the face with a birdie playing badminton, but I'm almost over it now so it's ok. We were able to attend his two mission reunions which were very interesting. I enjoyed watching him interact with his mission buddies and presidents and whoever else. I was very impressed. The next day we went to the Saturday morning session and it was AMAZING. I felt like a lot of the messages were prepared just for me. I absolutely loved it. We spent a lot of time with my Aunt and my cousins. One of my favorite parts of the weekend was hanging out with my 13 year old cousin Elise and her friend. They absolutely loved Dexter, and he was really good with them. We played games and watched them be ridiculous. It was hysterical and it's good wholesome moments like that with family that really stay with me. They are the warm fuzzies in my memory jar. That night was my favorite. The next morning we went to the morning session once again. It was once again amazing, but we were both very tired, so he was nodding off meanwhile I was totally wired and couldn't sit still. It made the whole thing quite comical. Later that day we spent some time at my other Aunt's house. Another good time. And then suddenly, the weekend was over and I had fake glass in my forehead. BUT the good news is, he's coming to Palmdale for Thanksgiving! and I am absolutely ecstatic. I can't keep it in. That will make for an interesing blog entry. Check in in about 2 months and you can read all about it. :)

Party City

2009-10-10T22:24:00.000-07:00

Starting today, all of the employees at Party City will
get to either wear a costume at work, or have Halloween makeup plastered on their face. I think it is a great idea and it's lots of fun. It makes work a lot more interesting. My paint job up there, incase you couldn't tell, is supposed to look like I've got shards of glass in my face. I wanted a costume, and the idea of the makeup made me a little nautious at first but I got used to it and most people thought it was funny. It was a great conversation starter at the register. The only thing I'm not sure I liked was the fear I saw in the children's wide eyes as they gawked, tiny mouths open. One little girl pointed heedlessly and kept right on pointing as she held her mother's hand and walked out of the store, turning back to me to stare and keep that finger aimed right at my smiling bloody face. It was a pretty entertaining day. I always enjoyed people's reactions when they returned my question "How are you?" and I said simply, "I'm great." They just look and laugh expecting me to play up the makeup, yes well despite the deadly spikes protruting from my head, I really am great.
Love it.

Love this Song

2009-09-25T01:18:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Tomorrow, but mostly Today

2009-09-07T22:54:00.000-07:00

My birthday is coming up in a few days. It seems like towards the end of every year lived, our age seems younger and younger. A year ago, 18 was the epitome of maturity and sophistication, but I never quite reached my 18 year old potential. I still feel young and immature, like I've always felt and I suppose I will feel for a while longer. I'm alright with that.

Looking back on the past year,I cannot believe it has gone by so fast. I can't ago that I was planning my birthday with Liliya and Kessia in Provo. I was working at Urban Trends, dressing manikins, and crocheting scarves at the front desk. My time in Provo was close to the best time I've had in my life, and it's fading further and further into my past.

Looking forward to a year from now is just as astonishing to me. I'll be turning 20! I will have come so far. I will be done with my second year of college, and hopefully be in the process of transferring to BYU Provo. I'll be looking forward to traveling to Denmark and Sweden with my family to pick up Kessia from her mission in Sweden, that will be an exciting trip. If I get the chance to be back in Provo with Kessia, and the next year my sweet little sister Krista, it will be more than I could ever ask for. And in just ONE year, I could be on my way there.

So here I am, right in the middle. 19 years old (almost). I'm not at a particularly pivotal point in my life, but I am so happy to be here, in this moment: home in Palmdale, working at Party City blowing up balloons and selling kazoos. I'm loving today and I'm extremely excited about events in the near and distant future. I am one lucky luck luckster. Happy Happy Birthday to meeeee.

This Just In

2009-08-25T02:38:00.000-07:00

A man decides it's time to break up with his girlfriend. He rides his bike over to her house and calls her telling her to come outside. When she steps out, he rides up and throws a newspaper at her. He says "This just in, you're OUT!" Then he pops a wheelie and rides off into the sunset.
Ha.

Good Day

2009-08-20T20:40:00.001-07:00

A few answered prayers today. I am feeling very grateful and content.
Welcome Home Maddie.

She gets the toy right after I stop filming.

Moving On

2009-08-15T22:48:00.000-07:00

I suppose I should update the Tyler situation. He is of course on his mission, well actually he is in the MTC right now. He'll be heading off to Texas on September 22ND, ironically. Anyway, Tyler and I are no longer Tyler and I: not only in the way I was expecting to separate, but in a more permanent way. He officially broke it off over a month and a half ago, however we've technically been able to "see other people" (but haven't) for a year, and been "broken up" for several months. And although I doubt I could come up with a more idiotic time and place for him to end things, we have remained close friends. At least I got a good story out of it. I am doing much better than I would have thought. I am excited to start a new part of my life, be more independent (despite the fact that I am in fact living with my parents again for a few months), and honestly, not have to worry about coming home and calling someone, apologizing, and feeling guilty for being busy and having a good time without him, not that he would ever want me to apologize for that. Long distance relationships suck. I'm just going to throw that out there now that I won't be offending anyone. I'm not sad. I miss his companionship sometimes, but I'm honestly excited for this change and well, some new prospects *wink*. I know it was the right decision, and I definitely give Elder Scavo credit for doing what was right for both of us. He's where he needs to be and I'm still so proud of my dear friend.

Hold on to Let Go

2009-07-08T22:53:00.001-07:00

"So bury your burning hatred like a hatchet in the snow
Darlin' do not fear what you don't really know
If you have a broken heart or a battered soul
Find something to hold on to to let go
to help you through the hard nights like a flask filled with hope."
-Brett Dennen

Rain Makes them Crazy

2009-06-18T10:24:00.000-07:00

This Squirrel almost attacked my foot.

And the Pavement Sparkles like the Snow Used to

2009-04-25T14:33:00.000-07:00

I've never liked running inside on treadmills. There is nothing to look at but the amount of time that has painfully passed since I began, or if running in front of a mirror, my knees. After watching them bend and straighten countless times, they begin to look strangely foreign to me, like they don't belong to me. After that weirds me out, I turn to my feet. The initially mesmerizing rhythm the humming treadmill forces me to adhere to, eventually gets a little old and I return to my knees, and so it goes.
It has been warm enough to run outside for a little while now and I never want to step on another treadmill.
I'm glad I don't know Rexburg that well yet. I can still run out into an unknown area and just get lost for a little while. I keep my phone with me and I usually know about where I am, but I LOVE not quite recognizing my surroundings as I run by them. When I know where I am and exactly how far it is from home, all I think about is how far I have left to go. It sucks the fun out of it entirely. When I'm surrounded by unfamiliarity I feel like I can just run forever, further and further into nothing. I can become lost in my imagination as well as my surroundings. I close my eyes for seconds at a time and try to just feel myself run. I sometimes think I could fall asleep while still pumping my legs. I remember times in my life that made me laugh, or smile. Then I wonder what the good people of Rexburg think about a girl running down the street with a smile slapped on her face. I imagine what people I know and love are doing at that moment. I imagine conversations I could potentially have with someone in the world. I think of ways I could have said or done things better. If I had the choice I wouldn't change much. I think about my future. I occasionally wonder and hope I'll somehow end up back at my dorm at the end of my run. I see things and wonder how they came to be, like a bench sitting on the sidewalk outside a wood shop. It's massive, looks like it's made out of a tree trunk, and costs $250.00. Who would buy that? I don't say that critically, I really would just like to meet the person who buys it. Other times I move my lips along to whatever song is playing in my ears. I sing along in my mind and make the appropriate facial expressions, which I suppose also looks fairly silly.
I speed up as I get closer to home. My legs hurt. I go faster. I feel fast, but I'm not. I run past the door and slow to a stop. I don't go inside right away, instead I collapse on the ground. I lay on my back with my hands behind my head and feel like I'm absorbing something, but I'm not sure what. Maybe it's the endorphins talking. I wait for my breath to slow, until all I can hear is my heartbeat, I actually feel it pumping. I lay in the shade and stare at whatever is directly above me, occasionally closing my eyes and thinking about how good this feels, until I start to get cold and stiff. I suck whatever pleasure is left out of the grass I'm laying on, then I pick myself, drag myself inside, and start a blog entry.

Spring? I think not.

2009-03-01T16:10:00.000-08:00

There has been a lot of talk of spring being on its way here in Idaho in the past two weeks. It has been warmer and a lot of snow has melted revealing smashed brown grass and mud. I like the warmer weather, but brown muck does not make me feel at all spring-ish; however, I know that spring IS coming, because I inexplicably break out in hives and swelling daily when the seasons change. If you're wondering, the bottoms of my feet are itching and slightly swollen at the present time. So, if you ever see me dragging my bare feet around the carpet, I am simply trying my best to satisfy the annoying itch that plagues my poor footsies. It is a difficult task for those who have not had the pleasure. You press your feet into the carpet and move around any way you can and as fast as you can to stop the itching, but if you press to hard or move to fast, your feet literally start to burn. Walking on swollen feet is almost as annoying. It is the constant feeling that something is stuck to the bottom of your foot and should be removed, but cannot be. My feet are not the only part of me that go through this. I frequently wake up with hives on my knees and or elbows. It all usually goes away in an hour or so and it is much more bearable than it has been in previous years and season changes, but it is a nuisance. Well the point of all this is to excuse myself from being too excited for spring to be on its way. Spring and summer are my favorite months, but brown muck and hives would bring anybody down.

Valentine '09

2009-02-14T18:57:00.001-08:00

Well, today sucks.

More Golf Clubs

2009-02-10T18:25:00.000-08:00

Today after practice, I walked into the sport's equipment room and I saw several sets of golf clubs. None of them appeared to be missing one club. The mystery continues.

Just Wondering

2009-02-04T10:33:00.000-08:00

Today I saw a young man walking using a golf club as cane. I wondered what happened to his leg. I wondered where he got a golf club. Does he have a whole set? I assume he is a college student, so why did he bring his clubs to a place that does not have a golf coarse? Maybe he only has one club. Why did he buy just one? Maybe he just found it somewhere. I wonder who lost that one golf club. Would they be offended by its being used as a cane? I'm sure they would feel sorry for the limping young man. If they knew, would they buy him a cane? Maybe they would just demand the club be returned and leave the youg man to hop around in the snow. He could have stolen the club, but that is doubtful simply because he is at BYU Idaho. He is probably LDS. Maybe he stole it a long time ago and brought it with him to remind himself of his guilt and to never steal anything ever again. I wonder if I'll see the young man with the golf club again.

Good Friends

2009-02-01T22:42:00.000-08:00

I was recently thinking about my good friends from highschool. Specifically from my Junior and Senior year. I think it was in my Junior year that my group of friends was dubbed the "Hollywood Blonds." The original Hollywood Blonds consisted of myself, Rachel Coulsen, and Michelle Varalay. I love those girls. My favorite part about our friendship i think, is our shared sense of humor. We laughed at the most ridiculous things. I remember Rachel and I started "The Blond Book." I wish we had finished it, but it was a precious collection of our ridiculous-ness. It was essentially an instruction book for those who sought to become blond, and thereby become more fun. The Hollywood Blonds eventually grew into five members.
The last two, Quinn Williams and Krystal Diaz were not blond, but we decided to keep the name. Our senior year we dressed up in the most ridiculous attention grabbing outfits.
We used the Spirit weeks at our school as excuses to wear whatever we wanted to school. Most of the time we got away with it, with one exception. On beach day we thought it would be a good idea to wear wet suits to school. I still think it was a good idea, but the Librarians of our school disagree'd whole heartedly. They decided it was inappropriate and Rachel and I, who shared all of our classes that year, were sent to "FAD,"
or the detention room for the rest of third period. After which, we continued to wear our wetsuits to class for the rest of the day. It was probably a good thing that Rachel and I shared so many classes, because we often expressed that we believed we shared two halves of one brain. I still have difficulty finctioning with only half of my brain.
Rachel and Michelle were the ones who made me decide to lifeguard last summer. We continued our outrageous escapades that summer.
We had so many adventures during our years of friendship. I am always going to remember those times very fondly. I love the Hollywood Blond girls with all of my heart and I can't wait to see how all of our lives turn out. They are and always will be my girls.

Theme song of Rexburg

2009-01-17T19:50:00.000-08:00

Update

2009-01-17T00:21:00.000-08:00

For those of my *coughs* readers who are wondering, Tyler and I are doing just fine. Actually, we are fantastic. We've been through some ups and downs, but overall I think we are kicking butt as a "long distance relationship." He will hopefully be able to come visit me sometime soon. After that I'll see him in April between my Winter and Spring semesters and after that he'll be putting in his mission papers! I am so excited for him, however I will not be "waiting" for him. The deal is, when he puts in his papers it's over, but if he doesn't it's really over. Isn't that clever? I thought so. Anyway he'll leave, I'll continue living my life and when he comes back if we are both still interested we'll go from there. I really don't want to be a distraction for him on his mission. That is no bueno. It's the Lord's time, not mine or Tyler's.
So that's the plan. It seems really simple right? And it is, but I know that doesn't mean it will be easy for me. I am currently doing my best to mentally prepare myself to lose almost all contact with someone I depend on a great deal. Like I said, I am sooo excited for him and I can't wait to hear where he is going, I'm just going to miss him...a lot.

Arrival

2009-01-06T17:41:00.000-08:00

I am finally here. I have made the journey to Rexburg where I will be going to school for the next few years. I must say Idaho is not quite what I expected, nor the BYU Idaho campus. I expected cold weather and tons of snow, which I promptly recieved. I also expected to get lost, and I did. Other than that, I wasn't sure what to expect. I went walking on campus tonight, just looking for my classrooms so I would not get lost tomorrow and I was suprised at how beautiful and peaceful I found my surroundings to be. I had seen the piles of snow, sloshed through the brown muck that covered the walkways and streets, and I'd felt the icy wind numbing my face, but somehow the twilight made it all seem so meaningful. This is my home for the next little while and all of that is part of it. I found myself nearly skipping, and feeling like the buildings around me were echoing warm welcomes. I knew then that I would be able to feel at home here.

Oh, and it helps that the gorgeous temple in that picture up there is a five minute walk from my dorm.

Today

2008-12-08T12:09:00.000-08:00

Today is one of those precious days in Provo that I do not have work, or anything urgent that needs to be done during the day. I should get my windshield fixed, go to the bank, and buy some yarn, and maybe I'll get some of that done, but for now I am pretty content to stay here and watch the snow fall. I know that soon I won't have days like today, and I want to appreciate them. The snow is beautiful, my home is warm and comforting, and something is telling me not to waste the day doing things that I should be doing. I think I'll listen to that something.

Time on my hands

2008-11-10T21:21:00.000-08:00

It's been two and a half months since I left Palmdale. Which means I haven't seen me novio and my best friend for that long. His name is Tyler Scavo and I've missed him dearly since the moment I pulled out of his driveway and began the long drive to Provo. We both agreed long before I left, that we wanted to stay close, but that it would be wise to allow each other to see other people while we're so far apart. Neither of us have, or really want to to but it just seemed like the right thing to do. I really love the story about how we started dating. We dated almost our entire senior year of high school. We've been inseparable since the summer of 2007 when we had our first date. I still remember my very first impression of him 4 years ago. He and his friend Michael were in my seminary class and I thought they were two of the funniest guys I had ever met in my entire life. Everything they said cracked me up, but a lot of the time I had to hide that I was laughing so hard because they weren't talking to me and I didn't want them to think I was eavesdropping. I kind of was. Tyler was also in my biology class for a short time. I remember telling him that he reminded me of one of my brothers. The next year seminary was usually the only time I saw Tyler and I admit I had a bit of a crush on Michael. It wasn't until my junior year that Tyler and I began to grow closer. He was in my physics class, but he sat across the room from me. Occasionally, he would come sit with me at my table of friends. I thought he was just being friendly and I guess I didn't notice when he started showing up at my table more and more. I liked it when he came over. He still made me laugh with every other word he said and he started inviting me and my friend to his house Friday nights for movie night. I went a few times and it was always fun. I guess I remembered my crush on Michael who was a manager for the school volleyball team that I was on so I saw him a lot. One fateful night at Tyler's house, I punched Mike in the knee. Tragically, he had bad knees so I helped him ice it with a bag of frozen peas. One thing led to another and by the end of the night his head was on my shoulder and I was playing with his orange afro. Needless to say we after that magical night we ended up dating. After three spectacular weeks of not talking much, not really hanging out, and definitely not hitting it off well, he dumped me. I wasn't surprised and I wasn't too hurt. The next day Tyler stayed with me afterschool for physics tutoring and expressed to me that he knew it wouldn't work out. I thought that was pretty rude and I was mad that he would say that the day after we broke up. I forgave him pretty quickly. A short time later I asked Tyler on myspace if I was still invited to movie night. He responded in Dutch and told me to translate it. I'm Danish. Not Dutch. Not that I would have been able to translate it even if it had been in Danish. I assumed that was a no. Later I used google to translate it and he said something like "Of coarse you are, and Michael won't be there." So I went. Tyler sat smushed next to me on the couch and we flirted and messed around the whole night. At one point Michael walked in...looked at Tyler and I, and didn't say anything; he just layed down on the floor without saying a word to either of us. He left shortly after entering without saying anything to anyone. I didn't really care. I was having fun. I ended up being the last one to leave that night. It was around Christmas time. The lit Christmas tree set the mood for more flirting. I found out later that Tyler and Mike got in a fight about that. I thought that Michael was stupid for caring. So Tyler and I didn't really follow up on that night. I liked him, but I didn't think he was interested. I still enjoyed it when we talked in physics. One day in first period volleyball I sprained my ankle. I didn't want to go home, so I just hobbled to my next class and iced it. By the end of second period, it was stiff and my next class (physics) was across campus and uphill. Every step was extremely painful and by the end of that walk I was frustrated, about ready to crawl, and near tears. As I hobbled closer to class, Tyler and another boy in our class saw me. Tyler overdramatically yelled "You were fine this morning!" they came and carried me into class. I sat down and started crying like an idiot. Tyler offered to take me to go to the nurse and have it rapped. I didn't think he could carry me the whole way. He's about my height and slightly bigger than I am. He surprised me by carrying me easily and kept me laughing the entire way. Some teacher yelled at him to put me down once...we explained that I was injured but he persisted so we just waited until he was gone, then Tyler asked if he could carry me fireman style into class. I agreed. The class applauded as he walked in with me over his shoulder. I was reminded why I liked him. Still we didn't follow up on our obvious attraction to each other...until that summer. I was invited to his and his twin sister's birthday party, but Tyler let me know that it was cancled due to "family issues." I told him I hoped everything would work out. He told me to my surprise that his uncle had passed away. I told him how sorry I was and that I cared about him and I didn't want him to be sad, and that I was sure his uncle didn't either. He told me how smart he thought I was and that he cared about me too. He thought I was smart. That meant so much to me. I was teased a lot in highschool for being somewhat blonde, and there was someone who really thought I was smart. The rest of the summer he was all I thought about. He was all I talked about at all of my summer camps. When I was finally home long enough to spend time with him I took advantage of it. We went on our first date. We played tennis with two of our friends. I invited him to a party my mom was having for my brother at our house. We sat one the trampoline and talked. I was really starting to like him. After a while school started, and I wondered if he was going to ask me to be his "girlfriend" (I hate saying that) It took him long enough, but on August 22, 2007 he finally asked me. I was pretty much crazy about him by this time so I said yes. Things just keep getting better and better. Even when we're this far apart, we just get closer and closer. I want to talk about everything that has happened since then, but I'm thinking that this is already long enough. I'm sure I'll eventually get it all posted, just not all at once.

Introduction

2008-11-08T14:59:00.001-08:00

My name is Daniella. My roommate introduced me to this site, and I thought I would try it out. I live in Provo in BYU approved housing with 4 BYU students, but only for the next two months. Then I'll be heading up to BYU Idaho to start school. I love it in Provo, but I honestly feel a little out of place for several reasons. For one thing everyone in my ward, and all of my roommates are several years older than I am. I'm told that I don't act my age, that I'm mature, which I like to hear, but it still would be really nice to be able to go through all of these new experiences with people who are experiencing it for the first time too. I'm also not a student yet. I don't have classes, homework, or tests, which isn't something I should be complaining about, but I do feel out of place in the midst of so many hard working students.
Aside from that I love it here. Especially during this beautiful time of year. I wish I could project everything I'm seeing into the minds of those I care about. I want them to be able to see and experience this city. I want to come back to Provo as soon as possible. I know I will love Idaho, but I would like to transfer back after a year. Another reason is that in Idaho I will be going to school during the summer which really only bothers me for one reason; I spent last summer life guarding in my hometown and I absolutely loved it and saved up a lot of money. I would love to be able to go back in a year or two and spend another summer working as a lifeguard there. But for now, I am just excited to become more blog savvy.